Christina A. Gonano

B.S., interior design, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2002

M.S., interior architecture, Chatham University, 2006

"As interior designers, we have the ability to transform the environment that people inhabit. My desire to teach stems from a love of interior design, a respect and appreciation for what it takes to be a professional, and a desire to share this passion.

"We all teach by example; whether we want to or not. Therefore, I model my own passion and commitment to interior design. The classroom is an important place to learn theory, to get to 'know it.' However, to be educated in a subject, to 'own it,' a student has to experience what it takes to connect the information learned in class with the real world applications.

"Rather than being a 'sage from the stage,' I am the 'guide from the side.' "